“Justice?”
“Yes, justice! You must surely be aware that when I became a suitor for Viola’s hand I was ignorant of any claim you had on her heart.”
“Yes, I know it, and I have made due allowance for the fact; but if you wish me to forgive you and to atone for the past, the way is clear.”
“How?”
“Give up your pretensions to her hand, and leave the field clear for me to win her again,” boldly answered Florian.
Philip Desha reflected in anguish a moment, then answered, firmly:
“I can not yield to you in this matter, Florian, because I must consider Viola’s happiness as well as my own. I believe she loves me still, and that she only married Maxwell out of pique because we quarreled on our wedding-eve and broke our engagement. Under present circumstances I hold myself loyally bound to her still if she will accept me.”
“Then you and I are henceforth rivals and enemies,” Florian cried, violently, and Desha bowed in silence, and took an abrupt leave.
CHAPTER XXXI.
“COULD YE COME BACK TO ME, DOUGLAS, DOUGLAS!”